What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
shaken
Example
I was shaken by the news of the accident. [shaken: past participle]
Example
The earthquake shook the entire building. [shook: past tense]
Example
She was visibly shaken by the argument. [shaken: adjective]
agitated
Example
He was agitated and couldn't sit still during the meeting. [agitated: adjective]
Example
The washing machine agitated the clothes vigorously. [agitated: verb]
Example
The protesters were agitated and shouting slogans. [agitated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Agitated is more commonly used than shaken in everyday language. Agitated is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while shaken is less common and is mostly used in emotional contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between shaken and agitated?
Both shaken and agitated are informal words and are not typically used in formal contexts. However, agitated can be used in a wider range of contexts and can be employed in both formal and informal situations.
